WILTON -- Residents will have a chance to voice concerns about proposed zoning changes at a public information session set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23, at Wilton Town Hall.

Many people spoke out about the proposals at a December public hearing, prompting town officials to weigh issues more carefully before taking action.

Areas targeted for more growth

Of the nearly two dozen items under consideration, the following three in particular have generated significant controversy:

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? Allowing more types of business on Route 9 north of Worth Road. Opponents say this would detract from an area that is largely residential.

? Allowing digital signs outside businesses throughout town.

? Changing a C-2 zone near the intersection of Route 50 and Edie Road and another area on Ballard Road east of the railroad tracks to allow for more business uses.

Councilman Robert Pulsifer, who chairs the Zoning Revision Committee, will explain why such changes have been proposed at the Jan. 23 meeting.

Supervisor Art Johnson said proposals will probably be voted on at the Town Board's Feb. 7 meeting; however, the board will meet before then to consider input received from residents at the Jan. 23 presentation.

"We need the entire public to come out and discuss this," a resident said at Thursday's Town Board meeting.

Ernst Road resident Connie Towers added, "People really research where they want to live. They understand change will come, but they want to do it in a very community-minded way."

New uses on Route 9

Proposed new uses on Route 9 north of Worth Road include nurseries, garden centers, landscape centers, professional office space and small retail less than 10,000 square feet.

With a special-use permit, this area also could have bed and breakfasts, self-storage facilities and fast-food restaurants. At present, only sit-down restaurants are allowed.

Pulsifer has said the town wants to encourage new business. However, some people have expressed concern about the impact such places would have on residential neighbors.

Route 9 and Route 50 near Northway Exit 15 are the main commercial corridors in Wilton, where digital signs would most likely be located. But the proposed zoning change would technically allow them in other parts of town, too, which again could impact some neighbors.

"That's probably one of the things that might have to be changed," said Ryan Riper, town engineer and director of planning. "It's probably going to get scaled back."

New uses on Route 50 and Ballard Road

In the C-2 business/light industrial zones on Route 50 and Ballard Road, many new primary uses would be allowed. They are somewhat more commercial in nature and include banks, bowling centers, laundry/dry cleaning, drive-through establishments, indoor-outdoor recreation facilities, motels, hotels, nursery/garden centers, auto and mobile home sales, restaurants, retail, service stations and auto repair.